The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by candidates undertaking thermal performance assessments of each of the following types of existing residential buildings:

single and two-storey residential buildings

single and two-level apartments

alterations or additions to existing residential buildings.

In each case the assessment must be undertaken using a NatHERS software tool that is accredited under NatHERS for regulatory purposes in a mode appropriate to the type of assessment.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person should demonstrate the ability to:

gather building information from documents and existing buildings required for thermal performance assessment and correctly enter this information into a NatHERS software tool

gather any relevant site information to support NatHERS assessment

conduct thermal performance assessment of existing residential buildings using a NatHERS software tool

identify and analyse the outputs of thermal performance assessment tool

identify limitations to the software and items that cannot be assessed

identify ways to improve the thermal performance of existing residential buildings.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit:

must be in the context of the work environment

may be conducted in an off-site context, provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

must meet relevant compliance requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

NatHERS software tools

relevant codes, standards and government regulations

building plans and specifications for residential buildings to be assessed

computer equipment suitable for using NatHERS software tools

access to residential buildings from which building information required for conducting a building thermal performance assessment may be obtained

technology suitable for generating copies of reports

technical reference library with current publications on:

Australian climatic zones

building design and materials

building thermal performance for existing buildings

NatHERS scheme

NatHERS software tools

manufacturer information on building products and materials.

Method of assessment

Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, using one or more of the following methods:

written and/or oral assessment

observed, documented and/or first-hand testimonial evidence of the candidate undertaking thermal performance assessments.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should, as far as is practical, take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Required skills

communication skills to interact with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds

decision-making and problem-solving skills to identify materials and gather data about existing buildings for entering into NatHERS software tools

literacy skills to:

complete standard forms

generate business correspondence and prepare reports

read and interpret a variety of texts, including legislation, regulations, and codes of conduct and ethical standards

numeracy and data analysis skills to calculate and interpret the outputs of NatHERS software tools data associated with conducting thermal performance assessments, such as U-value, R-value, reflectivity, absorptance and emissivity

planning, organising and scheduling skills to undertake work-related tasks, such as collecting data from existing buildings and other sources required for conducting thermal performance assessments

research skills to identify and locate documents and information on key matters associated with thermal performance assessments, such as climatic zones and thermal properties of building materials

technology skills to:

enter data into thermal performance software

operate computer hardware and NatHERS software

use measuring instruments

time-management skills to complete assessment in a timely, cost-efficient manner

Required knowledge

Australian climatic zones:

climate data used in thermal performance assessment:

diurnal temperature range

humidity

irradiance

minimum and maximum temperature

solar geometry

wind speed and direction

climatic zones and characteristics

building alterations and additions:

effects on building thermal performance

performance standards

regulations

type and scale of alterations and additions

building materials:

constraints on choice of building materials:

cost

practicality

size

space

thermal performance properties of common building materials:

capacitance

material thickness

resistance

thermal bridging

building thermal performance:

benefits of thermal performance assessment

impact of building design and building materials on building thermal performance

relationship between building thermal performance and thermal comfort

thermal performance principles:

glazing, shading and insulation for controlling temperature

orientation for heating

thermal mass for storing

ventilation for cooling

thermal performance standards:

current performance standards

documentation of assessment and ratings

legal requirements

uses

ways of improving thermal performance of existing residential buildings:

draught proofing

floor coverings

glazing

insulation levels

landscaping and planting

overshadowing

passive heating and cooling

shade

structural changes

ventilation

window coverings

window size, location and type

zoning and layout

commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations impacting on thermal performance assessment relating to:

building and construction

building thermal performance

consumer protection, fair trading and trade practices

environment protection

work health and safety

energy and power:

terminology:

energy

energy efficiency

power

primary energy source

units of measurement

uses, cost and environmental impact of energy in residential buildings

greenhouse gas emissions:

relationship between building design, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through building design

NatHERS software tools:

assumptions inherent in NatHERS software protocol

criteria for selection of particular NatHERS software tools

NatHERS and Australian Building Codes Board Protocol for House Energy Rating software

properties of materials, such as heat transfer coefficients and U-value, thermal resistance and R-value, reflectivity, absorptance, solar heat gain coefficient and emissivity

star rating

types of NatHERS software tools

passive energy design:

benefits of passive design

principles of passive design

relationship between passive design and greenhouse gas emissions

site inspection procedures

thermal comfort:

definition of thermal comfort

physical factors that influence thermal comfort

requirement for thermal comfort

role of thermal comfort in building thermal performance assessments

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Need may include assessment for:

building design, renovation, alteration, addition, regulatory disclosure or retrofit advice purposes

determining thermal performance profile and identifying opportunities for improving thermal performance

legislative, regulatory and compliance purposes.

Residential building refers to:

any building categorised as Class 1, 2, 4 and 10a of the National Construction Code or in accordance with jurisdictional requirements.

Client may include:

architect

builder

community organisation

construction manager

dwelling owner

government agency

property developer

property manager

real estate agent.

Effective communication strategies may include:

active listening

being non-judgemental

exploring problems

expressing an individual perspective

providing sufficient time for questions and responses

providing summarising and reflective responses in conflict situations

using appropriate words, behaviour and posture

using clarifying and summarising questions

using clear and concise language

using culturally appropriate communication

using plain English

using verbal and non-verbal communication.

Risks may include:

awareness of current legislative and regulatory requirements

confidentiality

data accuracy

data integrity

data loss

insurance

privacy

professional indemnity

work health and safety.

Planning involves identifying and obtaining required tools, equipment and other requirements, which may include:

calculator

clipboard

collection containers

commercial ladder

compass

digital camera

personal protective equipment (PPE):

dust masks

eye protection

gloves

headwear

overalls

safety shoes and workboots

portable computer equipment

reference manuals

tape measure

thermal imaging devices

thermometer

timer

torch.

Hazards may include:

confined spaces

electricity

fire

harassment, bullying and/or violence involving co-workers or customers

hazardous substances:

asbestos

biological products

blood products

broken metal

chemicals

electrical wiring

fibres

fumes

gases

glass

insulation

leaking containers

oil and petrol

heat:

burns

scalds

manual handling:

carrying

lifting

pulling

pushing

machinery, including powered and non-powered equipment

skin penetrating injuries:

knives

sharps

syringes and needles

waste

work environment:

access

animals

dust

floor surfaces

lighting

noise

passive smoking

temperature extremes

trips and falls

ventilation

working alone

working at heights.

Information required from client may include:

house construction details:

age

floor area

insulation

materials

number of storeys

proposed additions or alterations to building.

Details of site inspection may include:

address and postcode of residence

assessor name and contact details

date and time of inspection

duration of inspection

responsible adult to be at site during inspection.

Information may include:

air leakage features:

fans

wall vents

attachments to other buildings externally

building sealing

construction materials

construction method

dimensions

floor coverings

insulation levels:

ceiling

floors

walls

orientation

overshadowing

proposed building additions or alterations

roofing

shading

thermal mass

ventilation

windows and glazing:

coverings

location

size

style

type of frame

type of glass

window energy rating schemes (WERS)

zoning and layout.

Outputs may include:

cooling loads

data for individual zones

heating loads

information on building properties

latent cooling

rating and non-rating mode

temperature graphs.

Sources of technical advice may include:

architects

building designers

building thermal performance assessors

colleagues

consultants

government agencies

professional associations

research bodies

supervisors

suppliers of products relating to building thermal performance.

Assumptions may include:

climate data

comfort

material properties

occupancy profiles

thermostat settings

uses of windows, doors, curtains and blinds.

Options may include:

air leakage reduction

draught proofing

floor coverings

glazing

insulation levels

internal and external window coverings

landscaping and planting

passive heating and cooling

shade

structural changes

ventilation.

Criteria may include:

cost

outputs of thermal performance assessment

practicality

thermal performance properties of building elements

type of building.

Results and recommendations may include:

compliance with regulatory requirements

cost implications

practicalities.